Switch and signal apparatus



2 Sheets-Sheet 1..

(No Model.)

A. G. CUMMINGS.

SWITCH AND SIGNAL APPARATUS.

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A. G. CUMMINGS.

SWITCH AND SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Patented Sept.

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ALBERT G. CUMMINGS, OF HARRISBURG, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNION SlVITCl-l ANDSIGNAL COMPANY, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWlTCH AND SlGNAL APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 370,453, datedSeptember 27, 1887.

Application filed March 31, 1887. Serial No. 233.103.

To ctZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT G. Columns-s, residing at Harrisburg, in thecounty of Danphin and State of Pennsylvania, a citizen of the UnitedStates, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvementsin Switch and Signal Apparatus, of which im provements the following isa specification.

In the accompanying drawings, which make part of this specification,Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the position of the severalmechanisms included in my plant when the draw-bridge or movable sectionis unlocked. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a double-track system,with branches or sidings, showing the positions of the severalmechanisms with a clear main line. Fig. 3 is a similar view when thesignals and switches are set for the branches or sidings. Figs. l

and 5 are top plan and side elevations of the mechanism for operatingthe switches and signals for clearing the branch lines. Fig. (i is adetail view of a portion of such mechanism with a different adjustmentof the parts. Figs.

2 5 7, S, and 9 are end and transverse sectional views of the mechanism,the sections being taken 011 the lines 00 or and y 3 Fig. 5. Figs. 10,11, 12, 13, let, and 15 are detail views of theinterlocking connectionbetween the switch and signal mechanism of the main lines and that ofthe branch lines.

In an application, No. 204,299, filed June 7, 1886, I have described andshown certain apparatus in connection with a draw-bridge or 3 5 othermovable track section, whereby the movement of the device or mechanismemployed for securing the draw-bridge or movable track-section in linewith the main track is effective in setting such signal or signals asproperly indicate the position of the movable traclesection as regardsthe main track.

The object of the invention herein is to provide for the locking of theswitch-points of a branch line or siding contiguous to the dra\v- 5bridge or movable track-section, and the preliminary setting of suchsignal or signals as will guard trains passing over the movable sectionto and from such branch or siding, such protective signals having beenpreviously set by the locking ofthe movable section; and it is a furtherobject of myinvention to so con struct the mechanism for operating thepoints (No model.)

of the branch or siding that the movable section must first be locked inline with the main track and the signals for protecting trains passingalong the branch or siding must be set at danger before such points canbe set for main line and the signal governing such points can be set atsafety.

In general terms, the invention consists in the construction andcombination of parts substantially as hereinafter more fully described,and claimed.

The draw-bridge or movable section A is shown at the left-hand end ofFigs. 2 and 3, the two main tracks being indicated by B and G and thebranchlines or sidings by D and E. The mechanism 1, for locking thedraw-bridge or movable section in line with the main track, or in normalposition, is preferably similar to that shown and described in theapplication hereinbefore referred to, although other formsoflockingdevices maybe employed. Theabove portion of this lockingmechanism is connected by rods 2 and bellcrank levers 3 to the mech- 7.5 anism F, hereinafter more fully described, and preferably located inproximity to the point of junction of the main lines B and (O and thebranch lines or.sidings D and E. This mechanism F is connected by a rod,4:, to the switch and signal operating mechanism G, located in proximityto the derailing-switch H, and constructed similar to the mechanismshown and described in application No. 204,299, filed by me June 7,1886.

In the application above referred to the switch and signal operatingmechanism G is so connected to the locking mechanism 1 that theunlocking of the draw'bridge or movable section A sets the signalsconnected with the 9 mechanism G to danger, and shifts thederailing-switch H for the main track B, and the locking of thedraw-bridge or movable section effects a reversal of these movements.Hence, as the branch lines or sidings D E connect with the main line ata point in proximity to the draw-bridgc, it is necessary, in order toprotect trains moving to and from the branch lines, that the signalsgoverning trains on the main track should be set at danger, while thedraw-bridge or movable section is locked to main line. This independentshifting of the signals is effected by the mechanism F, inserted in theconnections between the ends of the bridle is reversed.

the locking mechanism 1 and the mechanism G. This mechanism F consistsof the two sliding frames 5 and 6, the former being mounted on suitableways or bed-plate, 7, and connected to the rod 4, and the latter Withinthe frame 5, and connected by the bars 8 and cross-head 9 to the rod 2.The bars 8, passing through one end of the frame 5, serve as supportsand guides for the frame 6.

In the sides of the frame 6 is mounted the transverse shaft 10, havingthe pinion 11 secured thereon, said pinion being arranged to intermeshwith the rack formed on the under side of the longitudinal brace 12 ofthe frame 5,'(see Figs. 5 to 9;) and on the outer end of said shaft issecured the ratchet-wheel 13, with which the double pawl 14, pivoted tothe lever 15, engages, said lever being loosely mounted on the shaft 10,as clearly shown in Fig. 9.

In order to insure a complete stroke or movement of the frame 6, abridle or yoke, 16, is loosely mounted, by means of its side pieces, 17,on the shaft 10, said side pieces being located on opposite sides of thepinion 11 (seeFigs. 8 and 9) and extending longitudinally of the frameon each side of the shaft. One of the side pieces is provided with anarm, 18, provided on its inner side with a stud or friction roller, 19,adapted to engage either the upper or under side of the rib 20, formedon one side of the longitudinal brace 12. This rib is so located thatwhen the stud 19 is above the rib 20 one of the ends of the bridle 16,whose side pieces, 17, are connected together by the cross bar or plate21, (see Fig. 8,) is moved toward the longitudinal brace 12, theopposite end being moved away therefrom; and when the stud is below therib the position of The rib 20 is made of a length equal to the amountof movement of the frame 6, and is located so that the stud can bechanged from the upper to thelower side thereof, or vice versa, only atthe opposite limits of the stroke or movement of the frame 6.

On the cross bars or plates 21 are located springs 22, bearing at theirupper ends on the under sides of the pawls 23 and 24, which are formedintegral with each other, and are loosely mounted on the shaft 10. Thesprings are made of such a length that the pawl on the end of the bridlein closest proximity to the longitudinal brace 12 will be held in engagement with the rack on the under side of said brace-as, for example, whenthe stud is on top of the rib 20 the pawl 24 is caused to engage therack, (see Fig. 6,) and when the stud is below the rib the pawl 23engages the rack, the pawl 24 being held away, as indicated by dottedlines in Fig. 5. These pawls are constructed, when in engagement withthe rack, to permit of the movement of the frame 6 in one directiononly.

When the locking mechanism 1 is shifted to lock the draw-bridge ormovable section-21 0., from the position indicated in Fig. 1 to that inFig. 2the rod 2 is pulled in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, therebyshifting both frames 5 and 6, they being locked together by the pinion11 the rod 4, and switch and signal operating mechanism G, in the samedirection, and setting the signals to indicate main-line safety.

In order to admit a. train from the branch or siding D onto the mainline B and across the bridge or movable section, it is necessary to setthe main-linesignals beyond the point of junction of the main and branchlines to danger. This is effected by operating the lever 15, and throughit the pinion 11, in such a manner as to shift the frame or slide 6,independent of the frame 5, in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2,thereby so shifting the mechanism Gas to set themain-line signals todanger and the derailing-switch open to main line. As the bridge-lockingmechanism has not been shifted by the above movements, a train can nowbe safely admitted to the main line.

In order to prevent the shifting of the branch or siding switch-pointsand the signal governed thereby until after the draw-bridge or movablesection has been locked and the proper signals set, as above stated, andalso to prevent the setting main-line signals to safety, and theunlocking of the bridge or movable section while the branch or siding isopen to main line, I provide an interlocking device, as in dicated at I,and illustrated in detail in Figs. 11 to 15.

The device consists of a rod, 25, connected to the switch'points of thesiding or branch D, either directly or indirectly, and with the signalcontrolled by such switch-points, and extended across the rod 4,connecting the mechanisms F and G. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 3.) At the pointof intersection of the rods 4 and 25 is arranged a casting, 26, havingpassages therethrough for the rods 4 and 25 and serving as a support forthe same.

To the main frame or slide 5 is attached a rod, 27, extending outparallel with the rod 4 and passing through theopening in the casting orguide-block 26. The rods 4 and 27 are preferably arranged on oppositesides of the rod 25, and are provided with notches 2S and 29,0f a widthequal to the thickness of the rod 25, and of a depth sufficient tofirmly engage the sides of said rod, and are located at such points onsaid rods as to be simultaneously in line with the rod 25 when thedraw-bridge or movable section is locked in position, thederailing-switch in line with the main track,and

the main-line signals at danger, but at no other time. In the rod 25 areformed notches 30 and 3l,which will be in line with the rods4and 27 onlywhen the branch or siding D is closed to main line and its signal atdanger.

The operation of this locking device, in con ncction with the mechanismF, is as follows: When the locking mechanism is shifted. to lock thebridge or movable section, thereby shifting the slides 5 and 6, themechanism G, and the signals and switches connected. therewith, the rod27, connected to the frame or slide 5,

is moved so as to bring the notch 29 therein in line with the rod 25,and when the slide or frame 6 is shifted, as above stated, to set themain-line signals to danger and open the derailing-switch, the notch 28in the rod 4 is also brought into line with the rod 25. As the notches28 and 29 in the rods 4 and 27 are now in line with the rod 25, thebranch or siding D can now be opened and its signal set to safety. Asthe opening of the branch or siding shifts the notches 30 and 31 in therod 25 out of line with the rods 4 and 27, neither of said rods can beshifted so as to either nulock the bridge or movable section or to clearthe main line until the branch or siding D has been closed. As the notch28 in the rod 4 is in line with the rod 25 when the main-line signalsare at danger, and as said signals may be at a point not visible fromthe branch or siding, I provide the rod 27 to prevent opening the branchor siding to main line unless the draw-bridge or movable section islocked to main line. A similar interlocking device can be applied to themovable points or rails and the signal of the branch E, as will bereadily understood, to prevent interference between trains passing alongthe main line 0 and to and from the branch or siding E.

I claim herein as my invention-- 1. The combination, with mechanism forlooking a draw-bridge or movable section of track, of a switch andsignal mechanism operated by the movement of the locking mechanism, andmechanism for shifting the switch and signal mechanism independent ofthe looking mechanism, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with mechanism for locking a drawbridge or othermovable tracksection, of a switch and signal mechanism operated by themovement of the locking mechanism, a branch or siding switch and signalmechanism interlocking with the main-line switch and signal mechanism,and mechanism for shifting the main-line switch and signal mechanismindependent of the locking and sisection, of a switch and signalmechanism connected therewith, and movable slides interposed between thelocking and the switch and signal mechanism, substantially as set forth.

4.. The combination, with mechanism for looking a draw-bridge or othermovable trackscction, of a slide or movable frame, 5, connectedtherewith, a second slide or frame movable with or independent of thefirst slide and switch, and signal mechanism connected to the secondslide, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination, with switch and signal apparatus and a movabletrack-section, of the slide or movable frame 5, the slide or movableframe 6, mounted on the frame 5, and means for locking the frame 6 tothe frame 5 and for moving it independent of the frame 5, substantiallyas set forth.

6. The combination of the movable frame 5, provided with the rack-bar12, having the rib 20, the movable frame 6, mounted 011 the frame 5, thepinion mounted in the frame 6, aswinging bridle provided with an armadapted to engage opposite sides of the rib 20, and double pawlsoperated by the bridle, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ALBERT G. CUMMINGS.

Witnesses:

JNo. M. MAJOR, EDGAR O. HUMMEL.

